Collapsible lighting shield for tobacco pipes



April 15, 1952 UNGAR 2,592,835

' COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING SHIELD FOR TOBACCO PIPES Filed April 18, 1947 F|G. 3. V WENTOR.

ATTQRMM Patented Apr. 15, 1952 COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING SHIELD FOR TOBACCOPIPES Jules Ungar, New York, N. Y.

Application April 18, 1947, Serial No. 742,430

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lighting shields for tobacco pipes. One objectof the invention is to provide an improved, simple, and inexpensive,detachable shield to assist the lighting of tobacco in pipe bowls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved lightingshield which is expansible for engaging a pipe bowl and collapsible soas to be conveniently carried in ones pocket or elsewhere.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a lighting shield adaptedto be used in connection with tobacco pipe bowls of many differentsizes, with improved means engageable within the pipe bowl so as tomount the shield irrespective of the ilgaryling external size andcontour of the pipe Another object of the invention is to furnish adevice of the nature set forth having improved means operative to lockthe device in collapsed compact position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the typementioned which is at least partially self-cleaning to eliminateadherent particles of tobacco and the like.-

Another object of the invention is to construct a device of thecharacter described having improved means whereby the device in itscollapsed condition is free of protruding or other exposed parts whichmight catch on ones clothing or the contents of ones pocket, and whichpresents a neat and decorative appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention comprises the novelfeatures, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter describedin their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, andillustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated bythe same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showinga device embodying theinvention as operatively mounted on a fragmentary portion of a tobaccopipe, the bowl whereof is shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a top planview thereof.

Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation of a modification showing the shieldof Fig. l furnished with aerating perforations.

Fig.4 'is a view in side elevation of the device in Fig. l in thecollapsed position in which it is conveniently carried and initiallyseated on the arm of the pipe bowl.

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the device respectively shown thesame in collapsed and in expanded positions.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the shield member showingcertain details of'construction.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevations of the device correspondingto Fig. 6.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized whenall of its features and instrumentalities are combined, but usefulembodiments may be produced involving less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the inventionappertains, that the same may be incorporated in several differentconstructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merelyas showing a preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, [0 denotes a device embodying theinvention as operatively applied to a tobacco pipe ll having a bowl [2affording a tobacco chamber I3 and a rim I4 on which the device I0 isseated.

The device It! comprises a lighting shield I5 adapted to form a passageor recess suflioient to protect a flame that is being applied to thetobacco from being blown out by a wind. Within the scope of thisdefinition, shield [5 may be of generally tubular form, suitablyinterrupted if necessary, but desirably circumferentially closed atleast to the extent shown. This shield 15 may have a base portion N5 ofsufficient diameter to seat on a rim [4 of pipe bowls of widely varyingsizes. While the shield might be outwardly flanged for this purpose, itis preferred to form the same like the frustum of a cone, the upper edgeportion ll of which is substantially smaller in diameter to affordproper protection for the flame. I have found that by reason of thetapered construction of the shield, there is substantially less tendencytoward the creation of a suc tion such as might cause the flame to beextinguished by a wind. When suitably seated on the rim i 4, the shieldI5 is preferably in approximate alinement with the axis of the pipebowl.To support combustion within the shield, the latter may have suitableair inlet openings, for example such as the perforations I8 distributedthroughout the wall of modified shield l5a.

Engaged with the, shield I5 is a means telescopically mounted, that is,axially movable therealong to retracted and projected positions,

proof plastic, or the like.

including pins or other means adapted to be projected into the pipe bowlto hold the shield against lateral displacement; desirably such pins aremounted upon a common actuator as presently disclosed. Such actuator isindicated at 2B, and while it may be variously constructed, it ispreferred, in conformity with the shape of the tubular shield 15, tomake this actuator in the shape of a tube or ring. Carried by thisactuator are a plurality of pins 2| or similar elements adapted toeasily penetrate the tobacco upon entering the pipe bowl. Desirablythere are three equally angularly spaced pins. These pins may or may notdirectly engage the inner wall surface of the pipe bowl; it sufficesthat they become embedded within the tobacco, whereby there is nolimitation with respect to the diameter of the chamber of difierent pipebowls. It is preferred to have the pins engage internally instead ofexternally of the pipe bowl so that the diameter and shape of thelatter, which factors may widely vary, shall have no effect upon suchengagement. For this reason the pins, which are preferably approximatelyparallel to the axis of the shield 15, lie in a circle whose diameter issubstantially smaller than the base portion is of the shield. While thering member 20 might be mounted internally of the shield, it ispreferred to position the same externally thereof for easy manipulationand for a novel mode of engagement for mounting the ring and its pinsonthe shield, as hereinafter described.

being suitably connected to the ring 29 at any desired surface thereof.The pins are preferably rigid on the ring. The pins and shield can beconstructed in integral manner, of metal, fire- The pins may have somedegree of resilience, at least adjacent to their free end portions for apurpose hereinafter apparent. The parts 22 extend through the wall ofthe shield l5, as seen in Figs. 1, 4, and 6, affording certainadvantages. The shield may have longitudinally extending slots 23 closedat one or both ends, there being such a slot for each of the pins. Theparts 22 are of such length that the bends 24 are located slightlywithin the slots 23 at their upper ends to afiord an interlocking actionto prevent accidental upward separation of the ring from the shield. Inother words, the ring is applied over the shield, with the pins 2|entering the slots 23, and the parts 22 being sprung downwardly to snapthem into the slots,

only a slight projection being required to furnish illustrating at leastsuch frictional contact suflis:

cient to make it difficult to thus remove the ring and hence avoidstraining of the pins at the transverse sections 22 thereof. The shield15 may consist of any suitable material such as metal or heat-resistingplastic; if made of metal it can be fabricated of sheet metal 01'tubular stock in any well-known manner. It will be noted that the s ots23 may constitute ventilation openings for the shield srpplem'ental toor in lieu of the perforations 18. It is preferred that the slots 23 beso narrow as to afford a snug guide for the pin portions 22.

Due to the conical form of the shield 15, it is not possible for thering 20 to be directly guided thereon as would be the case if the shieldwere cylindrical. In consequence, the shield is provided with inwardextending guide portions or ears 25 for the pins, preferably inindividual engagement therewith by the use of perforations 26 throughwhich the pins extend. In the case of a sheet metal structure, each earmay be struck out from the wall of the shield, leaving a cut-out 21 atthe extreme bottom region of the latter. This cut-out may be regarded asproviding an additional ventilation opening. In forming the ear,sufiicient metal is left at 28 to close the lower end of the slot 23 asclearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thus there is a stop for the pin portion22 to limit downward movement of the ring 20. By virtue of the guides25, the ring and pin assembly is maintained in alinement with the shieldin course of its movement to the retracted position of Fig. 5, and tothe projected position of Fig. 6, the ring-being spaced from the shieldin the retracted position. The ears may afford sufficient bearing fortheir individual pins to permit individual projection of the pins if asectional ring structure is used, but by the use of a common actuator20, the several pins form a common shaft having a superior bearingengagement.

Any suitable means is provided to releasably lock the device (0 in itscollapsed position shown in Fig. 4.. For this purpose, any desiredportion of the pins may be utilized, and while the slots 23 may haveangular or irregular portions for rotary or frictional rocking, it ispreferred to maintain a perfectly smooth operation which is responsivesolely to direct axial movement of the pin and ring assembly. This isaccomplished as by forming relatively small or minute head portions 30in the pins, for instance by so molding or by upsetting the same, theseheads having a snap engagement with the ears 25, effective by reason ofthe resilience of the pins. The perforations 26 of the ears may besuitably enlarged to pass these heads 30. In the retracted position,these heads lie above the ears and they are pushed through theperforations 26 by merely downwardly pressing on the ring 20, whereuponthe ring and pin assembly may be projected. Upon a reverse movement, thedevice 10 is locked in collapsed position. If any one of the heads 30should fail to engage, a head on another pin will perform the locking.These heads are preferably in radial relation to the device. When infully retracted position, the free ends 3i of the pins are preferablyabove the bottom edge of the shield so that there are no projectingparts, and this is accomplished by spacing the ears above the bottomedge of the shield. Accordingly there is ample room to form heads on thelower ends of the pins, in which case the slots 23 may be open at theirupper ends, but the instant device shows a more neat and ruggedstructure.

The device I!) may be assembled by positioning the ring 20 in alinementwith the shield l5, with the pins 2| entering the slots 23 near theiropen ends. The ring 20 is then moved downwardly and the offset portionsor arms 22 .of the pins are caused, to snap into the slots 23. at thesame time the lower ends of the pins are inserted into the ears v25.

The device I0 is in normal collapsed position as in Fig. 4, in whichcondition it may be conveniently carried or packaged. and it is thuslocked by the snap engagement of the heads 30 with the cars 25 as shownin Fig. 5. Now the operator places this collapsed device on the tobaccopipe bowl [2 in general alinement therewith, the base portion of theshield |5 resting on the rim of the pipe bowl. The ring then is pusheddownwardly thus causing automatic release of the snap engagement at 30whereupon the pins 2| are projected to enter the pipe bowl and to becomeembedded in the tobacco. The operator may now conveniently light hispipe, the shield being anchored against displacement. Then the device I0is removed, and the ring 20 pushed in the reverse direction to retractthe pins 2| and to lock the device in collapsed position by means of theheads 30.

The shield is amply ventilated so that a lighted match may be fullyinserted into the shield without becoming snuffed out. By reason of itsconoidal form, the shield forms a deflector for the wind to preventextinguishment of the lighted match. The base portion of the shield isof sufficient diameter to seat on pipes of many difierent'sizes. Thepins 2| are arranged along a circle sufficiently small to readily enterpipe chambers of different diameters. It is thus seen that the size andartistic external configuration of the pipe bowl will not interfere withthe operation of the device. The only parts of the device which may comein direct contact with the tobacco or ashes are the pins 2|, but thesein retracted position are housed within the shield, and consequentlywill not soil the clothing. To a, substantial degree, the pins areself-cleaning, because any particles adhering to the pins will beremoved or scraped off by the ears 25, and thus caused to drop off. Thedevice is neat in appearance, rigid and durable and highly efficient inuse, and inexpensive to manufacture.

I claim:

1. A device including a generally tubular lighting shield adapted toseat on the rim of a tobacco pipe bowl, means engaged with the shieldfor axial movement to projected and retracted positions, including aplurality of angularly spaced pins engaging the pipe bowl in theprojected position of said means, the portions of the pins at theirlower free ends and portions of the shield adjacent to the lower endthereof having resilient snap engagement with each other transversely ofthe pins by resilient action of the pins, to maintain said means inretracted position, the snap engagement being opened and closed by axialforcible movement of the said means.

2. A device including a generally tubular lighting shield adapted toseat on the rim of .a pipe bowl, said shield being of conoidal form andhaving openings, a ring of larger diameter than the shield, a pluralityof angularly spaced pins in the shield each having an outward extendinportion connected to the ring through one of said openings in theshield, and ears on the shield for guiding the pins to maintain the rinand pin assembly for axial movement relative to the shield forretraction and projection, with the pins engaging in the pipe bowl intheir projected position.

3. A device for assisting in the lighting of tolid bacco in pipe bowlscomprising a tubular shield having a base portion for resting on the rimof the pipe bowl, said shield being formed with spaced apart throughopenings, a ring disposed externally of the shield in coaxial relationto the latter, a plurality of spaced pins corresponding to the number ofsaid openings carried by the ring, each pin extending through one of theopenings, said ring with the pins being mounted for movement withrespect to the shield from positioning the pins within the shield to aneffective projecting position of said pins beyond the shield engagingthe interior of the pipe bowl when said base portion rests on the bowlrim to prevent accidental displacement of the device.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said shield openings are eachslotted to extend 1ongitudinal the shield, and formed with closed endsadjacent said base portion, said pins each having an angular portionextending through one of said slotted openings to serve as stopengagement means with the closed ends of the slots.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the shield is provided withears at the lower end thereof, the pins having guiding engagement in theears.

6. A device according to claim 3 wherein the shield is provided withears at the lower end thereof, the pins being resilient and having.

guiding engagement in the ears and having means for releasable snapengagement with the ears to maintain the pins in retracted position.

7. A device for assisting in the lighting of tobacco in pipe bowlscomprising a telescoping structure formed with a tubular shield memberhaving a base portion for seating on rims of the pipe bowls, a ringmember coaxially movable along the exterior of the shield member,resilient portions having free ends extending from said ring membermovable from a, telescoped position within said shield member to anextended position beyond said base portion for releasably engaging theinner walls of various sizes of pipe bowls upon said coaxial movement ofthe ring member to retain said shield in an effective seated position,and releasable interengaging locking means between said shield memberand the free ends of said resilient portions of the ring member forsecuring the device in said telescoped position to maintain a compactcondition when not in use.

J ULES UNGAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 499,384 Harper June 13, 1893521,864 Percy June 26, 1894 626,570 Shuck June 6, 1899 1,490,939 RogersApr. 22, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,866 Great Britain of1891 26,042 Great Britain of 1903 21,884 Great Britain of 1910

